We would like to inform you about the current situation at the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp, where operations are being severely affected by ongoing extreme temperatures.
In Rotterdam, several key facilities have already reduced or stopped their activities. At ECT Delta and Euromax, system failures caused by the heat are disrupting normal operations. In addition, multiple cranes at these terminals have overheated and have been taken out of service. APM Terminals Maasvlakte II (APM2) has closed all truck time slots, which currently prevents trucks from entering the terminal and carrying out container pick-ups and deliveries as planned.
In Antwerp, various terminals are already reporting substantial delays in handling containers. Taking into account the current conditions and the latest weather forecasts, it is expected that more terminals in both Rotterdam and Antwerp will further limit operations or temporarily close in the coming days.
As a result, we anticipate ongoing disruptions to container handling and transport planning throughout this week. Delays in both export and import flows, as well as in pre- and on-carriage by truck, are unfortunately unavoidable under the present circumstances.
Our teams are continuously monitoring the situation at ECT Delta, Euromax, APM Terminals Maasvlakte II and the affected terminals in Antwerp. While we are doing everything operationally possible to reduce the impact on your cargo, access to the terminals and their handling capacity remain beyond our direct control. We therefore strongly recommend that you consider extended lead times and possible schedule changes for the remainder of this week.
Thank you for your understanding. We remain available to assist you with any questions or concerns.
